Taranaki Reel Life Jan 2017

'Plenty fat trout' to target, when its not blowing

Regular freshes, persistent westerly winds and even an early dump of snow have conspired to provide great conditions for the trout, but not so flash for the anglers.

Cooler water temperatures and less river bed algae than usual have maintained healthy mayfly and caddis populations in the middle and lower reaches of ringplain streams for longer than normal, providing a great food source for trout.

But the often windy or inclement weather has meant many streams and rivers have received little attention from anglers.

This means there are plenty of fat and fairly naïve trout available for those prepared to brave the conditions and cover the water.

Michael Kemp with a summer ringplain brown.

At this time of year, fly fishing to trout stationed under foam lines sipping green and black beetle, passion-vine hopper and cicada blown onto the water, or taking advantage of hatches of caddis and mayfly, will be the way to go.

In the upper reaches of rivers, fishing the deeper runs and pocket water with a two-fly rig, consisting of a small nymph suspended below a bushy dry fly should also produce fish.

Spin fishing will still be productive on the tails of freshes, with smaller spinners more likely to induce a take.

Hopefully, we’ll get some more settled weather as we move into February and what better time to be out enjoying the trout fishing in Taranaki.

Top right: Michael Bakker releases another ringplain rainbow caught on a green beetle.Waimarino

Perhaps not surprisingly, given the ongoing unsettled and unseasonably cool weather, fishing activity has been very limited in the Waimarino district so far this season.

But the rivers have generally fished very well when suitable conditions have prevailed.

This is consistent with our observations that the major rivers are all supporting strong populations of trout in good condition.

If there’s a reasonable cicada hatch and regular breezes to blow these onto the water then tossing a buoyant cicada imitation will be the way to go through late January and February.‘Check, Clean & Dry’

Please check, clean and dry any clothing, equipment and fishing gear before moving between waterways to help prevent the spread of didymo and other freshwater pests.

The Taranaki Fish & Game Region is still didymo-free, but not all catchments are tested.

We ask that you act as if the water you’re fishing in has didymo, but the next one you’ll visit, doesn’t have it.